THE Horror-on-Sea film festival is returning to Southend and promises to be the biggest and best yet.

The seventh edition of the fright festival, which was launched in 2012, has grown to become the UK’s largest independent festival devoted to the genre and, for the first time, will now be spread across two weekends – starting Friday January 11 and running through Saturday and Sunday and then again from Friday January 18 to Sunday 20.

Paul Cotgrove, Horror-on-Sea’s creator and director said: “We’re all grown up now.

“We’ve had to spread the festival across two weekends, as we have had so many submissions from up-and-coming film makers and there are just so many good quality, independent films to show.

“In fact, across the six days of the festival, we’ll be screening from 10am to midnight.”

From vampires to hookers with hacksaws, murderous hillbillies selling strange ‘beef’ to hellacious cats named ‘Angel’, Horror-on-Sea promises full-length features and shorts from across the whole horror spectrum – including killer doughnuts.

The programme itself features a hand-picked mix of the very latest British and international horror films, with “lots of black humour and serious horror”.

Paul added: “If I see something and think ‘wow, the audience will love this’, then it is automatically put into the schedule.

“Some films are borderline thrillers but others, such as Leaf Blower Massacre 2 are clever movies, made on an absolute micro-budget, which horror fans will appreciate.

“Essentially, Horror-on-Sea reaches out to all film fans, but will always have a particular appeal to people who love their horror.”

Paul is justifiably proud of his festival’s burgeoning reputation as the pre-eminent platform for independent film-makers.

He added: “Other horror movie festivals show big budget films but Horror-on-Sea screens wonderful, new work and is also a chance for fans and film-makers to meet each other, share their passion and exchange ideas.”

Horror-on-Sea has now become an internationally recognised showcase for young writers, directors and producers, which sees many travel to Southend to join the fans, discuss their own work and learn from other movie makers.

For a full list of the films and details about ordering tickets, visit www.horror-on-sea.com or call 07981 824283.